External Data Logger for Dental Autoclave Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental and medical autoclaves face challenges in efficiently recording and verifying sterilization cycles due to cumbersome paper records, labor-intensive data review, and concerns of cross-contamination, necessitating an improved method for data collection, storage, and verification.
Innovation Solution
A data logger with a microprocessor, memory, and visual display screen for dental or medical autoclaves, which electronically records and displays sterilization data, including temperature, pressure, and time, and optionally incorporates a touchscreen and barcode scanner for efficient data input and verification, reducing the need for paper records and enhancing data security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a printer is used to provide real-time printed records of sterilization data, then data recording is achieved, but the system becomes cumbersome requiring constant paper supply and continuous printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data recording function from the autoclave and places it in a separate external data logger device. This removes the cumbersome printer system from the autoclave while maintaining reliable data recording capabilities. The data logger receives sterilization data via wireless transmission and stores it independently, eliminating the need for continuous paper printing within the autoclave system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the sterilization data in the data logger's memory, replacing the physical paper records. This electronic copying eliminates the need for continuous paper supply and printing operations while preserving all sterilization cycle information for later review and verification.
2Reliability
If printed records are used to store sterilization data, then data storage is achieved, but labor-intensive review and verification processes result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical paper-based record review process with electronic data access and display. The data logger's screen provides immediate visual display of sterilization data, and the stored data can be easily retrieved and reviewed on electronic devices, eliminating the time-consuming manual review of physical printed records.
3Reliability
If paper records and record keeping materials are used in the sterilization process, then data documentation is achieved, but cross-contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data documentation function from the physical sterilization environment by using wireless data transmission to an external data logger. This removes paper records and record-keeping materials from the sterilization area, eliminating the cross-contamination risk while maintaining complete documentation of sterilization cycles through electronic storage.
4Productivity
If continuous printing is used to record sterilization cycles, then real-time data capture is achieved, but paper consumption and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electronic copying in digital memory to replace physical paper records. The data logger captures sterilization data in real-time through wireless transmission and stores it electronically, providing the same data capture efficiency as continuous printing without any paper consumption or physical storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A data logger for use with a dental or medical autoclave is disclosed. The data logger receives data transmitted from the autoclave and stores the data on secure digital memory. The data logger assigns a cycle number to data received associated with a particular sterilization cycle and stores the data associated with this cycle number on the memory until the associated sterilization cycle is complete at which time a new cycle number is assigned to the incoming data associated with a new sterilization cycle. A visual display is provided that displays the data associated with the various stages of a sterilization cycle of the autoclave in real-time for quick reference and verification. The data logger provides for compact and convenient data storage of dental sterilization cycles for record keeping and verification purposes.